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Updated: Saturday, January 1, 2005 2:33 AM EST
NCAA FOOTBALL RECAP
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(14) Miami Fla 27, (19) Florida 10
FLORIDA GATORS
Florida Gators
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MIAMI (FL) HURRICANES
Miami (FL) Hurricanes
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ATLANTA (Ticker) -- With no national championship to play for, No. 14 Miami will have to settle for state bragging rights.

Devin Hester and Roscoe Parrish each scored return touchdowns and the Hurricanes' defense dominated Florida in Miami's 27-10 Peach Bowl victory.

Miami (9-3) jumped out to a 17-3 lead at the half despite failing to score an offensive touchdown. Hester scored his fifth return TD of the season as he scooped up a blocked field goal and raced 79 yards for the score.

"We were just looking for something good to happen. Coach (Larry Coker) told us to listen for that sound of the block," Hester said. "Thomas Carroll got the block, there was a scramble. I came up with the ball and just ran as fast as I could."

Neither team managed much offense during the first two quarters and, after trading second-quarter field goals, Miami struck again on special teams.

Parrish picked up a few blocks on a punt return and was off to the races for a 73-yard TD, capping the first-half scoring.

"Roscoe and Devin are really special players," Coker said. "You don't coach the things they do."

The Hurricanes offense got involved in the third quarter when Brock Berlin, who transferred to Miami from Florida, hit Ryan Moore with a 20-yard scoring strike to extend the lead to 24-3.

Florida (7-5) never was able to establish any rhythm on offense and Chris Leak was harassed into one of his poorest performances as a Gator. Leak completed only 19-of-39 passes for 263 yards and a TD while being sacked five times and intercepted twice.

"We have to give credit to Miami. They played really well and brought a lot of different looks on defense," Leak said. "We just didn't execute or take advantage of our opportunities. That's the part of playing in a big time bowl game. You have to take advantage of your opportunities or a team like Miami will make you pay."

The Hurricanes have won their last six meetings with the Gators and swept Florida and Florida State for the second consecutive season.

"At Miami, a BCS game is the expectation, but we had a very good season and I'm proud of it," Coker said. "To say that we're excited about this win is an understatement."


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